Letter-holder for packages



A. P. SIMAO.

LETTER HOLDER FOR PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. I919.

Patented May 4, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

ANTONIO r. SIMAO, or LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

LETTER-HOLDER FOR PACKAGES.

Application filed April 7, 1919.

1/ '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTONIO P. SIMAo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of lv Iassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Letter-Holders for Packages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates ing letters, envelops, identification tags and the like on bundles'or packages during transmission through the mails or when otherwise in transit.

The object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple and thoroughly eliicient device of this character capable of being quickly attached to or detached from the securing cord of a bundle or package and which serves to hold a card or tag hearing the name and address of the sendee or an envelop containing a letter addressed to the sendee in position on the package during transit.

The invention further aims to provide a letter attaching device including a plurality of clips adapted to be bent into engagement with the opposite faces of a card or envelop and having openings therein to permit the passage of the securing cord of the package or bundle to which the device is attached.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efliciency.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bundle or package having my improved device applied thereto and supporting an envelop in position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the clamping members or clips showing the manner of retaining the latter in position on an envelop;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the clip is constructed;

Fig. i is a perspective view showing the clip partially bent into shape;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the clip ready for attachment to an envelop, tag or other identifying member.

The improved device forming the subject matter of the present invention may be used for attaching an envelop, tag or other identifying member to a package or bundle and Specification of Letters Patent.

to means for h0ld- Patented May 4, 1920.

Serial No. 287,994.

by way of illustration is shown in Fig. l supporting an envelop 5 in position on a package 6, the) latter being provided with the usual securing cord indicated at 7.

The device comprises a plurality of attaching members or clips, indicated as a whole at 8, and each preferably stamped or otherwise formed from a single sheet of metal of the construction shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Each clip comprises a head portion 9 and a rear portion 10 the latter being provided with a substantially V-shaped slot 11 intersected by a transverse opening 12 and defining spaced tongues 13. The metal at the free end of the head 9 is bent laterally to form a curved marginal flange 14 adapted to bite into the securing cord 7 when the clip is positioned 'on the envelop 5 and hold said' envelop against accidental displacement as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. After the blank is formed the head is bent at substantially right angles to the tongues 13 on the line 15, as shown in Fig. hand the head 9 subsequently bent or folded so as to overhang the tongues 13, as indicated in Fig. 5, with the lower face of the head spaced slightly from the adjacent faces of the tongues 13 so as to permit the clip to readily embrace the edge of an envelop, identifying tag or the like. It will here be noted that the openings 12 are disposed at the bends 15 of the clips and in alinement with the securing cord 7 so that the envelop or'tag to which the clips are attached will lie flat against the upper surface of the bundle 6. It will, furthermore, be noted that the slot 11 of each clip is contracted at its junction with the adjacent opening 12 so as to form in effect spring lips 12 at this point and effectually prevent accidental displacement of the clips from the cord.

In using the device the envelop or tag is positioned on the upper surface of the bundle 6 after which the clips are placed on the securing cord 7 with the tongues 13 disposed on opposite sides of the cord and said clips moved longitudinally until the clips embrace the adjacent edge of the envelop after which a slight downward pressure exerted on the heads 9 will cause the flanges 14 to bite into the cord and said clips to securely clamp the envelop. Four of said clips will preferably be employed with the securing cord 7 extending over the face of the enbundle.

In order to detach the clips and thus permit removal of the envelop and inspection of the contents thereof, it is merely necessary to exert a slight longitudinal pull on the clips until they are detached from the envelop and then tilt said clips upwardly which pulls the cord through the contracted ends of the slots 13 and permits ready removal of the clips. The spring lips 12 thus serve to hold the securing cord 7 within the openings 12 but permit ready separation of the clips from the cord by exerting a slight upward pull on the clips after they have been moved longitudinally out of engagement with the envelop or tag.

\Vhile the device is principally designed for attaching an envelop or tag to a bundle of letters or the like it will, of course, be understood that the device may be used with equally good results for attaching identification cards or labels to boxes and the like or for displaying identifying labels on goods and other merchandise.

The device is extremely simple in construction and when positioned in the manner described on a bundle or package will effectually prevent accidental displacement of an envelop or tag from the bundle durin transit.

aving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with an identifying member, of clips secured to the edges of said member and each including a head portion and spaced tongues, there being an opening formed in each clip in alinenient with the space between the adjacent tongues, and a securing element extending through the openings .in the clips.

2. The combination with an identifying member, of a clip secured to the edge of the member and including a body portion having a slot formed in one end thereof and defining spaced tongues and its other end provided with a head overlapping the tongues, there being an opening formed in the head at its junction with the tongues to permit the passage of a securing element.

3. The combination with an identifying member, of clips secured to the edges of said member and bearing against the upper and lower faces thereof, each clip including a body portion having a substantially V- shaped slot formed in one end thereof and defining spaced tongues, and an opening disposed at the apex of the slot to permit the passage of a securing element, the opposite end of each body portion being formed with a head overhanging the adjacent tongues and provided with a depending marginal flange adapted to bear against said securing element.

4. An attaching device for an identifica tion member comprising a clip having one end thereof formed with a slot defining spaced tongues and its other end formed with a head overhanging said tongues, there being an opening formed in the head at its junction with the tongues and disposed in longitudinal alinement with the slot.

5. An attaching device for an identification member comprising a clip having one end thereof bifurcated to form spaced tongues and its other end extended rearwardly over and in spaced relation to the tongues to form a head of less length than said tongues, the end of the head being curved and provided with a depending marginal flange, there being an opening formed in said head at its junction with the tongues and disposed in longitudinal alinement with the slot.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' ANTONIO P. SIMAO. [11. s] 

